Staffordshire County Council holds the Historic Environment Record for the County. This includes information on archaeological sites and monuments, historic buildings and historic landscapes. The Historic Environment Records Officer can provide further advice.

Listed Buildings

What is a listed building? Buildings are listed for their special architectural or historic interest and their importance to the nation's built heritage. They are listed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and special controls apply to protect them from unnecessary demolition,unsuitable and insensitive alteration.

How are listed buildings chosen? Buildings are listed as a result of systematic resurvey of particular areas or building types or in response to a request from local authorities, amenity societies, other bodies or individuals that particular buildings should be added to the list. Before including buildings on the list expert advisers appointed by English Heritage normally visit and report on buildings. The list includes adescription of each building which mentions significant features but is not intended to be comprehensive. Grades I and II* identify the outstanding interest of a small proportion of listed buildings, the remainder are Grade II. Selection is based on:- architectural interest (all buildings which are nationally important for the interest of their design, decoration and craftsmanship, and important examples of particular building types, techniques and plan forms)- historic interest (buildings which illustrate important aspects of the nation's social, economic, cultural or military history)- close historical association (association with nationally important people or events)- group value (especially where buildings form an important architectural or historic unity or a fine example of planning)Not all these criteria will be relevant to each case but a building may qualify for listing under more than one of them. The older and rarer a building is the more likely it is to be listed. All buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed; most buildings of about 1700-1840 are listed, though some selection is necessary; after about 1840 because of the greatly increased number of buildings erected and the larger numbers that have survived, greater selection is necessary to identify the best examples and only buildings of definite quality and character are listed. Only selected buildings post-1914 are normally listed, and buildings less than 30 years old are normally listed only of they are of outstanding quality and under threat. Buildings less than 10 years old are not listed.When is Listed Building Consent required? The statutory controls apply to all listed buildings, irrespective of grade. They apply to all works, both internal and external, that would affect the building's special interest. Consent is not normally required for repairs providing they do not affect the building's special interest, but this must be assessed in each case. Any fixture (object or structure fixed to the building) or building within the curtilage which has formed part of the land since before July 1948 is also treated as part of the building for the purposes of listed building control (eg. boundary walls and gates, outhouses and other ancillary buildings). Even relatively minor works may affect the character of the building and it is always advisable to discuss proposals with the Council's Conservation Officer before taking any action. Examples of work which may need consent are replacing windows and doors, changing roof materials, moving internal walls, making new doorways, removing or altering fireplaces, panelling or staircases, putting up aerials, satellite dishes, burglar alarms or external light fittings. A listed building is protected by law. It is a criminal offence to carry out work which affects its character without consent and the penalties can be heavy comprising imprisonment and/or a fine. Regular maintenance and repair are the key to the preservation of historic buildings. Modest expenditure on repairs and routine maintenance keeps a building weathertight and can prevent much more expensive work becoming necessary at a later date. Regular inspection is invaluable. There is plenty of advice available from various sources including the Council's Conservation Officer, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), English Heritage and the Victorian Society. Listed buildings often contain important materials, architectural details and examples of craftsmanship which contribute to their special interest. Particular attention should be paid to ensure that in the course of repairs or alterations such details are not damaged or lost. In many cases expert advice will be required and craftsmen experienced in working with traditional materials and methods will be needed. Sometimes planning permission is required in addition to listed building consent. How do I apply? It is usually best to employ an architect who is familiar with old buildings at an early stage. He or she will have the necessary skills to advise you and experience of where the likely difficulties and sensitive areas will be, and draw up sketch proposals for discussion as the proposals are developed. The Council's Conservation Officer can advise informally whether proposals are likely to be acceptable before an application is submitted. This could save you time and money. Application forms are available to download. Applicants for Listed Building Consent must be able to justify their proposals. They will need to show why works which would affect the character are desirable or necessary. Applications should be supported by full information including scaled plans and elevations, details of proposed materials etc. A Design and Access Statement is required to explain the design concepts and principles and make clear how access requirements balance the duties under the Disability Discrimination Act with the need to preserve the building's special interest. This is your opportunity to present a convincing case to justify your application being approved.What happens to my application? Once an application is received it will be advertised and consultations with various bodies carried out. In some cases English Heritage and the Secretary of State are consulted, and other national amenity bodies such as the Victorian Society or Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Care will be taken in assessing the impact of the proposal on the special interest of the building before a decision is reached. Listing does not mean that no alterations will be permitted. It seeks to ensure that alterations or extensions are sensitive to the building to accommodate continuing or new uses. Generally the best way of securing the upkeep of historic buildings is to keep them in active use. Guidance on alterations can be found in Annex C of the Government's Planning Policy Guidance 15: Planning and the Historic Environment. If consent is refused there is a right of appeal to the Secretary of State.Are there any grants available, and what about VAT? English Heritage runs a grant scheme for the repair of buildings of outstanding architectural or historic interest, which usually means Grade I or II* buildings. Further information is available from English Heritage (Tel 0121 625 6820). The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) also has a grant scheme for repair and reinstatement of traditional farm buildings in current agricultural use, and further information is available from the DEFRA helpline 08459 335577. VAT does not apply to the cost of approved alterations (alterations which both require and obtain Listed Building Consent) to listed buildings which are dwellings or are used for qualifying residential purposes or for the non-business activities of a charity. However it does apply to repairs and ordinary maintenance. Further information is available in the leaflet 'VAT : Protected Buildings'(708/1/90) available from the local Customs and Excise Office.Listed Buildings in Cannock Chase District There are 70 listed buildings in the District, 7 listed at Grade II*, the remainder Grade II. These include all sorts of buildings - churches, houses, garden walls, milestones, a churchyard tomb, pubs and canal bridges. They cover buildings of all periods including medieval stone churches, 16th/17th Century timber framed buildings, and many 19th Century brick buildings, the latter dating from Cannock Chase's period of mining prosperity. All the District's listed buildings are listed on the Council's website.

Locations and Grades of Listed Buildings in the District

Cannock, Hednesford and surrounding area

St Lukes Church, Church Street, Cannock

Description: Parish Church of 14th/15thC, extended 1878-82 with later chapel (1949) and porch (1957). Listed for extent and quality of medieval fabric and group value with other listed items in churchyard making strong contribution to the historic townscape.

Grading: II*

Reference: 1009338

List entry: 271277

Railings and Gates on South side of St Lukes Churchyard, Cannock

Description: Late 18th/early 19th C railings & gates on south side of churchyard

Description: Parish Church of 1837 by T Trubshaw, enlarged 1878 by Sir George Gilbert Scott, tower remodelled 1887 by his son John Oldrid Scott. Mainly in the Early English style. Combines early and high Victorian phases to produce an ensemble of considerable architectural interest.

Grading: II

Reference: 0109400

List entry: 271263

The Cedar Tree, Main Road, Brereton

Description: 18th/19thC. three storey building (formerly Cedar Lodge), now hotel

Description: late 18th/early 19th C boundary stone, on south bank of Rising Brook, strong group value with another stone on opposite bank of Rising Brook. SK 0298916981

Grading: II

Reference:

List entry:508906

Boundary Stone c75m SE of Duttons Pool, Slitting Mill

Description: : late 18th/early 19th C boundary stone, on north bank of Rising Brook, strong group value with another stone on opposite bank of Rising Brook. SK 0298916981

Grading: II

Reference:

List entry:508909

Conservation Areas

A Conservation Area is 'an area of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance'. Conservation Areas are designated by the Council and introduce additional controls over certain types of development in those areas, including demolition of all or a substantial part of a building, stricter controls over minor development and the display of advertisements, and the protection of trees.

The Conservation Area maps below show the location and boundary of each Conservation Area. If your property or land ownership lies within a conservation area you should contact the Conservation Officer for advice before undertaking any development or alterations.

Conservation Area Appraisals have been prepared for the Conservation Areas and are available to view below.

The Conservation Areas Management Plan sets out the package of generic measures available to the Council to apply to all of its Conservation Areas, and a series of area specific Management Plans relate to the individual Conservation areas, which will need to be read together and are available below.

How are Conservation Areas Chosen?

Whilst Listing of buildings focuses on the protection of individual buildings, Conservation Areas aim to preserve the special character and appearance of areas or neighbourhoods. There has been dramatic growth and change in the built environment over the last 50 years and there is a need to protect the character and quality of historic townscape in those areas that have remained largely unchanged. Their conservation value depends on more than the quality of their buildings and includes the historic layout of property boundaries and routes, the mix of uses, characteristic materials and details, views along streets and spaces between buildings and the presence of trees and landscaping.

Once an area is designated as a Conservation Area the Council has a duty to give 'special regard to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the area' in all its planning decisions.

Conservation Area Consent is required for demolition of unlisted buildings, except very small structures, or of a gate, fence, wall or railing over a metre high next to a highway, waterway or public open space, or over two metres high elsewhere. Application forms are available to download, and applicants must be able to justify their proposals in conservation terms. In addition there are stricter controls over 'Permitted Development' eg. the size and position on a residential property of any extension or alteration which can be carried out without the need to obtain Planning Permission. Unauthorised demolition of unlisted buildings in conservation areas is a criminal offence in the same manner as unauthorised work to listed buildings.

Planning applications for new development proposals in Conservation Areas have to be advertised and carefully considered in terms of the particular qualities of the Area. Applications should be supported by full information including scaled plans and elevations, street scene elevations showing how the proposal relates to its surroundings and a Design and Access Statement to explain the design concepts and principles including how the proposals preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Area's special architectural or historic interest. Please refer to the Validation Document. This is your opportunity to present a convincing case to justify your application being approved. Advice on preparation of an application can be obtained from the Council's Conservation Officer. Conservation Area designation does not mean that no alterations will be permitted. It seeks to ensure that alterations are sensitive to the Area and will enable it to maintain its vitality and offer an attractive living and working environment. The Conservation Area will also be taken into account in assessing proposals for new development outside the Area but affecting its setting or views in and out.

The character and appearance of a Conservation Area can easily be eroded as a result of unsympathetic alterations and the decay or removal of characteristic features. The cumulative impact of many minor alterations to individual properties, such as replacement of windows and doors in artificial materials and non traditional designs, recovering of roofs and removal of chimneys, can have this effect. Special architectural or historic interest is very vulnerable to the process of modernisation however the upgrading of property does not have to be at the expense of historic fabric and character. Further advice is available from the Council's Conservation Officer.

Trees in Conservation Areas

In recognition of the special contribution that trees can make to the character and appearance of a Conservation Area trees within Conservation Areas are protected by an interim blanket Tree Preservation Order. Anyone proposing to cut down or carry out work on such a tree is required to give the Council the opportunity to consider whether a Tree Preservation Order should be made in respect of that tree. It is a criminal offence to carry out unauthorised work to a tree which might be prohibited by a Tree Preservation Order, and the penalty can be a heavy fine. Further advice on trees in Conservation Areas is available from the Council's Tree Protection Officer.

Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans

Having designated a Conservation Area the Council has a duty to prepare proposals for its preservation and enhancement. These need to clearly identify what it is about the character or appearance of the area which should be preserved or enhanced, and set out the means by which this is to be pursued. The Conservation Area Appraisals define what matters and why in each Area, and act as a guide in considering planning applications. Occupiers of the Conservation Area are consulted on Appraisals before adoption. A programme of Management Plans accompany them.

Scheduled Ancient Monuments

The Secretary of State compiles and maintains a schedule of ancient monuments of national importance. The present schedule of some 13,000 sites has been compiled over a period of 100 years since the first statutory protection for monuments was introduced in 1882. It represents a selective example of the nation's archaeology, evidence of the past development of our civilisation. The Secretary of State is responsible for the control of works to scheduled monuments through the Scheduled Monument Consent procedure.

Local List

Local List A Local List can be used to identify buildings and structures of local architectural or historic importance. This can arise from a desire to recognise buildings and structures valued for their contribution to the local scene or for their local historical associations but which do not merit statutory listing where the emphasis is on national importance. Buildings on a Local List would not be subject to the same controls as those on the statutory list, however their special architectural or historic character would be taken into account in considering any planning applications that could affect them or their surroundings, with a presumption against their demolition. A key feature of the process of preparing a local list would be consultation with local people and parish councils inviting suggestions of locally significant and distinctive buildings and structures in their area. Cannock Chase Council does not presently have a Local List, but it is another tool available to the Council in the future protection of local historic buildings that can be utilised as resources permit.

Extensive Urban Survey for Cannock and Rugeley

The Extensive Urban Surveys for Cannock and Rugeley (produced for Staffordshire County Council) aim to understand the development and the current historic character of the medieval market towns. The surveys discuss the location, historic development and characterisation. This includes an assessment of their significance and recommendations for future managment practices. 21 Historic Urban Character areas have been identified in both towns which include the historic core. In Bridgtown the survey recommends that contemporary buildings beyond the Conservation Area are protected by extending the Conservation Area or Local Listing. In Rugeley St Augustine's Church and the former Hagley Hall and Park are identified as significant.